Growers who have invested considerable time and expense in producing top quality canola and want to prevent sacrificing that quality to 'profit robbers' need to ensure their binned grain stays free of damaging insects, says David Vanthuyne, Canola Council of Canada agronomist for Eastern Saskatchewan.

"The first step is to properly clean, and if warranted, spray or dust on-farm storage facilities with an approved insecticide prior to harvest,"
he stresses. He adds that a properly cleaned bin will be free of chaff, debris and sealed to prevent moisture infiltration.

The insects commonly found in canola are foreign grain beetles, psocids and mites. Referred to as fungus feeders, these insects cannot survive in dry grain. Primary insect pests, or those that cause direct damage to sound grain, can also be found if cereals are present in the canola. Following provincial crop protection guides that outline the practices for storing clean, dry and cool grain, may be all that is needed to control these pests, says Vanthuyne.

The most economical and efficient way of monitoring pests in stored grain is through the use of a bin probe. Stored product insect pests seldom cause direct damage to the canola and their development is sensitive to temperature and moisture. The optimum temperatures for rapid growth and reproduction of stored product insects are 30°C to 35°C.

Insect activity and reproduction are greatly reduced when grain is below 18°C and at 9% moisture. "Therefore, monitoring your bulk seed and taking steps to keep it cool and dry, will prevent insect infestations," says Vanthuyne.

No insecticides are registered for use in stored canola. Therefore, do not store canola in bins treated with insecticide. "When spraying insecticides in bins to be used for cereal storage, make certain you use the correct rates and keep detailed records, including the type of stored grain insecticides used," he says.

Storage management is as critical to maximizing canola profits as is production management. "Proper preparation of bins for storing canola, monitoring binned canola temperature and moisture, and taking action to keep the grain cool and dry will help ensure your canola stays top quality and stop 'profit robbers' in their tracks," says Vanthuyne.